Railway Children hoping for hometown gig

Andrew Nowell

A successful Wigan indie-rock band is looking forward to bringing its reunion back to the region’s fans - but would love to play another hometown show.

The Railway Children, who toured with the likes of REM and The Smiths in the ’80s, perform at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester on May 6.

All the band would be really up for doing a Wigan date. It would be a really good idea and maybe get another Wigan band to perform with us

Brian Bateman

The group, made up of singer and guitarist Gary Newby, fellow six-stringer Brian Bateman, bassist Stephen Hull and drummer Guy Keegan, also has European dates lined up after reforming last year.

However, while the band hopes for a large turnout from the borough in Manchester the group is really looking to properly come home to Wigan and play live there again after an appearance at last year’s Diggers Festival.

Guitarist Brian said: “We’re definitely looking forward to the Manchester gig. We’re being supported by a guy who used to be in Northside so it should be a good night from an older indie fan’s perspective.

“It’s great to be back together again and hopefully people can come to The Ruby Lounge and have a good time.

“All the band would be really up for doing a Wigan date. It would be a really good idea and maybe get another Wigan band to perform with us.

“We did the Diggers Festival and it was brilliant. It was surprising as I don’t think we’re really political but everyone really got into it. It was nice that our families and some of the other members’ kids who haven’t seen us could come and watch.”

The group has already visited Brooklyn in New York and played a major festival also featuring Echo and the Bunnymen, and will play in Berlin in October.

Currently the group is concentrating on its three albums but Brian says Gary may be preparing new material.

Brian admits the musicians had barely spoken before reforming the band but the old chemistry soon returned in rehearsal.

He said: “It’s funny, once you spend a few hours going through the songs it comes back. When you’ve toured them round the US, Europe and the UK a lot sticks in.

“They definitely sound different now, a little bit slower and less frantic. There’s more breathing space and I think that’s because we’re a bit more relaxed. A bit less alcohol before gigs probably helps too.”

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